How to know when the time is right

[car]

Hi I have been bonding my guinea pigs during run time for 3 days how do I know when it's time to put them in same cage they are bum sniffing,humping and chasing but no teeth chattering I think they are occasionally having a nip at each other and some times the little one comes to me for protection how do I know when it's ok for them to go in same cage they are next to each other at moment chewing on bars and rubbing noses

 

[piggyfan]

Try it now but ensure the cage is totally clean and free from any markings.

 

[car]

Cage has been cleaned moved food bowls water bottles hay about they are both in the same cage so far everything's ok and bolts enjoying having more space

 

[Member W]

fingers crossed for you x

 

[pookie]

what gender are your piggies ? boys can be abit territorial and will check each other out but it can be very hard to get two strangers together, as they will probably punch up,and what happens if you are not there to referee? if they are girls they are abit more socialble but there will always be one who likes to be in charge, if you have any doubt about it don't house them together but keep a mesh divider if you want them to see each other. hope this helps, pookie

 

[lauraboara]

Just wanted to say good luck with your bonding. I think it is difficult to say about exactly when to go for full time living together when we can't see the behaviour. Have you seen this thread about boar behaviour (I think you have 2 boars from reading another post?) which might help when you are watching the behaviours.
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=28949

I dont agree with Pookie - I have a pair of boars who never have a 'punch up' and there are plenty of forum people with well bonded boars (who are not necessarily litter mates) so it is more about getting the right personalities together and doing the bonding carefully

 

[car]

Just thought something was wrong it went really quiet in dinning room looked under hammock and they were lying down cuddling each other seems to be going well

 

[Wiebke]

I am glad that everything has gone well! All the behaviours you were describing were very normal dominance behaviours, which meant that your two piggies had already well bonded and were busy working on the shape their relationship was going to take by the time to moved them together permanently.